Question

Convert the following traditional times to military (international) times. 12: 00 midnight \(=\)

Short answer

12:00 midnight = 00:00 in military time.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding AM and PM

Traditional time uses AM and PM to distinguish between morning and afternoon/evening. Midnight is considered the start of a new day and thus falls in the AM category.

Identify Midnight as a Starting Point

Since 12:00 midnight marks the beginning of the new day, in military time, we start counting from 00:00. This means that the clock resets at midnight.

Converting Midnight to Military Time

We convert 12:00 AM (midnight) to military time by using 00:00, which indicates the start of the day in the 24-hour clock format.

Key concepts

24-hour clock

The 24-hour clock, also known as military time, is a timekeeping system that runs from 0 to 23, eliminating the need for AM and PM. In this system, each day starts at 00:00 (midnight) and ends at 23:59, with each hour representing a continuous cycle of time. This means that instead of repeating the hour numbers from 1-12 as in the 12-hour clock, the 24-hour clock progresses through 0-23.
For example:

• 12:00 AM midnight is written as 00:00.
• 01:00 AM is written as 01:00.
• 12:00 PM noon is written as 12:00.
• 11:00 PM is written as 23:00.

This system is widely used in places like the military, airlines, and some European countries because it provides precision and reduces confusion over time periods during the day.

AM and PM

The terms AM and PM are used in the 12-hour clock system to differentiate between the two halves of the day. "AM" stands for "Ante Meridiem," which is Latin for "before midday," while "PM" stands for "Post Meridiem," meaning "after midday."
In this format, the clock runs from 12:00 to 11:59 twice a day, covering the 24-hour period. Here's how the division works:

• AM covers the time from midnight (12:00 AM) to just before noon (11:59 AM).
• PM covers the time from noon (12:00 PM) to just before midnight (11:59 PM).

Understanding AM and PM is crucial because it ensures clarity over when events occur. For instance, knowing that 7:00 PM is at night while 7:00 AM is in the morning helps schedule activities accurately.

Time Conversion

Converting time from a 12-hour clock format to a 24-hour clock format, and vice versa, is a useful skill that helps ensure accuracy and minimize confusion.
To convert from the 12-hour clock to the 24-hour clock:

• If the time is in AM, you simply use the same hour times (except for 12 AM which becomes 00:00). For example, 6:00 AM remains 06:00.
• If the time is in PM, you add 12 to the hour value, except for 12 PM which remains 12:00. For example, 3:00 PM becomes 15:00.

For converting from 24-hour to 12-hour format, the process is reversed:

• For times from 00:00 to 11:59, you keep the time as AM hours, taking note that 00:00 is 12:00 AM.
• For times from 12:00 to 23:59, subtract 12 from the hour for PM times, with 12:00 remaining as noon or 12:00 PM.

Mastering time conversion allows for effective communication across different systems of timekeeping.